![Woman with White Dreadlocks, Four Up](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Woman_with_White_Dreadlocks-Four_Up-60-300x285.jpg")
Ever since I was three years old, with at least three to four inches of “long enough” hair, I was able to do these creative and exotic hairstyles. Growing up with an older brother who was a hairstylist, I was his canvas.
I continue to rock these hairstyles because I know there is so much history and artistic love put into being able to wear it. I’ve learned the history behind each hairstyle I had growing up.
The roots of dreadlocks go back all the way to the Rastafarians of Jamaica and then journeyed on to the Indian sages and yogis. It symbolizes a deeper meaning to their origin, defiance, power, and authority. There are still a lot of controversies today around dreadlocks since the hairstyle is more popular than ever. But a few of us actually understand its history and respect it enough to embrace it proudly. It’s beautiful.
To make dreadlocks, the hair is washed but not combed and is twisted while wet into tight braids or ringlets.
From the 1970s through today’s culture, a huge inspiration popularizing locks was reggae musician Bob Marley. He was a big role model for the Rastafarian movement and the wearing of dreadlocks.
It’s a proud heritage.
